Thing 4: Mapping and Geolocation

Well I have been looking and trying lots of new things.  I love the idea of the QR Scavenger Hunt in the library.  Here is how I would work it.  Now that I have 40 minutes for each grade weekly in the library, I would create several codes that link to places predetermined by me to work in very small groups to investigate different sections in the library.  Other groups would be working on "centers" at the library tables while I walked around with the students who had my two Ipads and the QR reader app.  This could be done many ways as an introduction to different resources in the library or to concentrate on one area depending on the grade levels.  I was scanning Pinterest earlier and saw a few more ideas such as making a QR code to use on all materials sent home that leads to the library home page.  I would like to start doing this with all the materials and kids projects I do and send home as well as make bookmarks for the kids with the code.  Another idea I would like to try is having the fourth or fifth graders pick a book they really loved in kindergarten or first grade and write or record a little synopsis or skit about the book and why they liked it.  Make a QR code, print it and apply to the book so that younger kids could either scan the code at school once I show them what they mean or scan at home with their parents.

There were many Pinterest ideas including a whole board devoted to this at the elementary level.  I am excited to look back through and gain a few more ideas.  There were dictionary games and tic tac toe trivia...  now to find the time to do this.  I would like to spend a few times a month getting myself prepared and have a new "thing" ready to use with a different grade level this year.  I want to use the technology I have in different ways and encourage my students to try different things.


I took a look at the virtual field trips apps which I thought would be great, but I was a little disappointed with their selections.  I downloaded the National Parks one and it seemed sad really with just a few pictures and not a lot of information.  I was hoping to use this with younger students, but not sure it would hold their interest very long.  Older students might be able to use it as a starting point by finding a place through the pictures that they want to investigate further and use the maps too.

Liked the look of Sepiatown and whatwasthere too.  Older students could really use these to create a history/social studies project that connects to what they are learning in the classrooms whether it be Revolutionary War or Civil War or another piece of history.  I guess I was really hoping to be inspired to create or find some ideas for the younger students.. K-2... especially at the beginning of the school year I want to have a few things to pull out now that I will have 40 minutes.  I would love to hear or see things geared toward these younger students....